Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2016-114

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Route reference: 2015-433

Ottawa, 24 March 2016

Voice of Aurora Community Radio
Aurora, Ontario

Application 2015-0579-4, received 9 June 2015
Public hearing in the National Capital Region
18 November 2015

Low-power community radio station in Aurora

The Commission approves an application for a broadcasting licence to operate a low-power, English-language community FM radio station in Aurora, Ontario.

Application

1. Voice of Aurora Community Radio (Voice of Aurora) filed an application for a broadcasting licence to operate a low-power, English-language community FM radio station in Aurora, Ontario.

2. Voice of Aurora is a not-for-profit corporation controlled by its board of directors.

3. The station would broadcast 119 hours of local, station-produced programming each broadcast week. The spoken word programming would consist of local and regional news, weather, sports and programming from local community groups. In each broadcast week, the station would broadcast approximately 14 hours of newscasts, approximately 12 hours of which would consist of pure news. A portion of the spoken word programming would also be devoted to programs with local community groups, such as the Royal Canadian Legion, the Chamber of Commerce, Sport Aurora, the public library and the Queen’s York Rangers. Further, the applicant proposed to devote a portion of the broadcast week to youth programming.

4. In regard to the development of local talent, the applicant stated that it intends to make use of the studio as a training and production facility and provide broadcasting and recording opportunities for residents and local talent in Aurora. It also intends to provide opportunities at the station to complement the curriculum of local schools and colleges in Aurora, including involvement from broadcasting and social media students.

5. In regard to community involvement and volunteer participation, Voice of Aurora stated that the station would work directly with Aurora’s Parks and Recreation Services and Youth Centre to provide programming and broadcasting opportunities for local youth.

6. The applicant also confirmed that it would adhere to Campus and community radio policy, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-499, 22 July 2010 (the Campus and Community Radio Policy).

Interventions

7. The Commission received interventions in support of this application as well as one comment from an individual. The applicant did not reply to the interventions. The public record for this application can be found on the Commission’s website at www.crtc.gc.ca or by using the application number provided above.

Commission’s decision

8. The Commission expects community radio stations to provide programming differing in style and substance from that provided by other elements of the broadcasting system, particularly commercial radio stations and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Such programming should consist of music, especially Canadian music, not generally heard on commercial stations (including special interest music, as well as styles of popular music seldom broadcast), in-depth spoken word programming and programming targeted to specific groups within the community.

9. The Commission is satisfied that the application complies with the provisions for community radio stations set out in the Campus and Community Radio Policy. Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by Voice of Aurora Community Radio for a broadcasting licence to operate a low-power, English-language community FM radio programming undertaking in Aurora. The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision.

Secretary General

* This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2016-114

Terms, conditions of licence, expectation and encouragement for the low-power, English-language community FM radio programming undertaking in Aurora, Ontario

Terms

The licence will expire 31 August 2022.

The station will operate at 101.5 MHz (channel 268LP) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 16.4 watts (maximum ERP of 50 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 8 metres). ^{Footnote 1}

The Commission reminds the applicant that, pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, no licence may be issued until the Department of Industry (the Department) notifies the Commission that its technical requirements have been met and that a broadcasting certificate will be issued.

Given that the technical parameters approved in this decision are for a low-power unprotected FM undertaking, the Commission also reminds the applicant that it will have to select another frequency if the Department so requires.

Furthermore, the Commission will only issue a licence for this undertaking once the applicant has informed the Commission in writing that it is prepared to commence operations. The undertaking must be operational at the earliest possible date and in any event no later than 24 months from the date of this decision, unless a request for an extension of time is approved by the Commission before 24 March 2018. In order to ensure that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be submitted at least 60 days before this date.

Conditions of licence

1. The licensee shall adhere to the conditions set out in the broadcasting licence for the undertaking as well as the conditions set out in Standard conditions of licence for campus and community stations, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2012-304, 22 May 2012.

Expectation

As set out in Campus and community radio policy, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-499, 22 July 2010, the Commission expects all community and campus licensees to file yearly updates on the composition of their boards of directors. These annual updates can be submitted at the time of submission of annual returns, following annual board of directors’ elections, or at any other time. As noted in Appendix 3 to that regulatory policy, licensees may submit such documentation via the Commission’s website.

Encouragement

The Commission considers that community radio stations should be particularly sensitive to employment equity issues in order to reflect fully the communities they serve. It encourages the licensee to consider these issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.

Date modified:

2016-03-24